Structural toy.



F. A. WAGNER.

STRUCTURAL TOY.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1915. 1,171,816. Patented Feb.15,1916.

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wuuemo F. A. WAGNER.

STRUCTURAL TOY.

APPLICATION FILED APR-30, I915- 1,171.,816. I Patented Feb. 15,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- W JMILMQ UNITED FRANCIS A. WAGNER, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

STRUCTURAL TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

Application filed April so, 1915. Serial No. 24,863.

To all whom it may concern.

lie it known that I, FuANors A. WAGNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new -and useful Improvements in Structural Toys, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

-This invention relates to structural toys and more particularly to that type of structural toy comprising a. plurality of parts, such as strips, plates and the like, each having a series of openings to receive fastening devices whereby the several parts may be connected together in dilierent arrangements and combinations to produce structures of difl'erent kinds.

The object of the invention is to produce an element t'or use in structures of this kind ot'such a constructimi that it can be used in a large number of ditiercnt arrangements and eombimitions to produce a. correspondingly large number of different structures;

and to so,t'orm this structural element that it may be held in rigid engagement with the parts to which it is connected by a minimum number of fastening devices.

It is also an object of the invention to provide other parts or elements cooperating with said structural element to produce different structures.

It is a further object of the invention to produce a truck which can be adjusted to different widths to accommodate it to different tracks and of such a character that it may embody a single pair of wheels or may be extended to embody a plurality of pairs of wheels.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truck embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a truck showing a fifth wheel construction; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one. of the structural elements; and Fig. 41 is a perspective view of a portion of a frame construction forming part of a. building or shed.

In these drawings I have shown two different structures embodying my invention and it will be understood that these particular structures are chosen for the purpose of illustrating the invention and the manner of its use.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings I have shown in detail the structural element forming the basis both of the construction shown in Fig. 1 and of that shown in Fig. 4. This element comprises a plate 1 having its lateral edges converging toward one end and provided at its opposite or wider end with a flange 2 extending at substantially a right angle to the plane of the body of the plate and, in the present instance, of a length slightly greater than the width of the widest portion of the data, although this is not essential. The i ange 2 and the adjacent portion of the body of the plate are respectively proyided with a series of holes 3 and 1 extending longitudinally of the flange and adapted to receive fastening devices, such as bolts. The body of the plate is also provided with a series of openings 5 arranged centrally thereof on a line extending transversely to the length of the flange 3. Preferably, the plate is embossed to form channels 6 and 7 extending parallel with the series of open ings 4 and 5, respectively, and having these series of openings arranged substantially centrally thereof. These channels are of a.

depth and width to adapt them forthe re-' eeptionof a standard structural element or strip and when such a strip is placed in the channel, as will be hereafter explained, it may be rigidly connected thereto and the parts held against relative displacement by the use of a single fastening device. The plate may be formed of any suitable material but I preferably employ a thin sheet steel which can be readily worked with dies.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings I have illustrated a truck, the frame of which consists of a plurality of the structural elements 1 connected together and provided with wheels. In constructing this truck I have employed four plates or elements 1 and have connected these plates together in pairs, the flanges of each plate extending inwardly. Mounted in the lowermost hole 5 of opposed plates 1 are axles 8, to the outer ends of which are secured wheels 9, the wheels being preferably adjustably secured to the axles, by means of set screws, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The plates may be connected together in any suitable manner. In the present instance I have provided a structural element especially adapted for this purpose. This element comprises a plate having an elongated body portion 10 rovided on its opposite sides with depending flanges or pro ections 11. The space between these flanges being between the flanges or projections on the elongated plate 10 when the latter is placed upon the flanged end of the plate 1. This elon ated plate is" provided with a longitudinail series of holes 12, to receive fastening devices. As shown" in Fig. 1 the elongated plates 10 overlap the adjacent ends of the plates 1 of the respective pairs of plates and are secured thereto by suitable fastening devices, such as bolts 13. The plates 1 are shown with their flanges abuttin one against the other and the fastening evices are inserted in the second hole from the end of each flange. It will be obvious that by altering, the point of connection between the plates the length of the truck can be varied. Further, it will be apparent that because of the channel or flange construction of the elongated plates a single fastening device at each end of the elongated plate is suflicient to rigidly connect 1t to the two plates.

hen this elongated plate has been secured to two of the plates 1 the three plates constitute a complete side frame member for the truck.. The two side frame members may be connected one to the other in any suitable manner and I preferably provide the structural, element 10 with a laterally extending portion 14 having projections or flanges 15 near the outer ends thereof to form channels. Extending between the two plates 10, and having its end portions lying Within the channels formed by the projections 15 is a structural element 16 constituting a connecting device for the side frame members. This connecting device is preferably adjustable with relation to the side members to vary the width ofthe truck and to this end the openings for the fastening devices are in the form of elongated slots 17. By adjusting the fastening devices along these slots any desired width of truck, Within two extreme limits, may be secured and by shifting the wheels 9 on their axles, by loosening the set screws, they may be adjusted to correspond to the width of the truck frame,-and may be placed either inside ,or outside of the side frame members. The connecting device 16 is shown as provided centrally with an offset, or elevated portion 18 to re: ceive a bolster or other car supporting structure.

By securing a second connecting device in inverted position upon the first connecting device and securing the two devices together b means of a single bolt 19, as shown in ig. 2, a fifth wheel or steering construction may be produced, it being noted that the offset portions 18 of the connecting devices space the upper and lower structures apart in such a manner as to allow a free turning movement. As shown in Fi 2 I have provided the upper connecting levice tended indefinitely. If it is desired to use a single pair of wheels the structural elements 10 are placed directly above the structural elements 1 so that the connecting device 16 will be placed directly above the axle.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings I have illus trated the structural element or plate 1 as forming a connecting device, by means of which the foot of a column or upright member 20 is secured to a base plate 21. It will be noted that the column comprises a strip 20 of standard construction which is placed Within the channel 7 and secured thereto by a fastening device. The flange 2 rests upon and is secured to the apertured base plate 21 so that the frame member 20 is held in a rigid vertical position relatively thereto. Secured to the upper end of the frame member 20'are two other structural elements 22 of similar construction and especially adapted for forming corner braces, or for forming supporting brackets for overhanging structures, such for example as a train shed where the roof projects on opposite sides of a row of central supports, such as the column or frame member 20. The structural elements 22 each comprises a plate approximately triangular in form and having two of its edges arranged at a right angle one to the other and provided along these edges with two series of openings 23 and 24.. The portions of the plate containing these openings are fiat and are adapted to rest upon and to be secured to other structural elements, such as the angle bar shown at 25. With a sufficient number of the structural elements shown in Fig. 4 a great variety of building constructions may be made, it being apparent that the parts may be arranged in various positions and may be connected in various combinations.

The construction and manner of use of the several parts of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description'and it will be apparent that these parts are of a very wide utility, can be used in many different constructions and when so used produce a very rigid structure; and further, can be assembled, and such rigid structure produced, by the use of a minimum number of fastening devices. Further, the shapes of the parts are such that the finished structure bears a marked resemblance to actual steel structures.

While I have shown and described the parts of particular shapes and have shown these parts in various combinations I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited'to thedetails of construction shown anddescribed, for various modifications will occur to one skilled in the art.

,Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A structural element for a toy comprising a platehaving its lateral edges converging toward one end thereof and having at its wider end a flange extending at an angle to the plane of said plate, said flange having a series of openings arranged parallel with the plane of said plate to receive fastening devices to connect said plate with other parts of the toy structure, and said plate having a series of similar openings in the body portion thereof adjacent parallel with said flange and also having a series of similar openings arranged medially thereof in a line extending at substantially right angles to said flange.

2. A structural element for a toy comprising a plate having its lateral edges converging toward one end thereof and having at its wider end a flange extending at an angle to the plane of said plate, said flange having a series of openings arranged parallel with the plane of said plate to receive fastening devices to connect said plate with other parts of the toy structure, and said plate having a depressed portion arranged near and parallel with said flange and forming a channel to receive another element of the toy structure, said plate also having a similar depressed portion arranged centrally thereof and at right angles to the first-mentioned depressed portion and each of said depressed portions having openings to receive fastening devices.

3. A structural element for a toy comprising a plate having at one end a flange extending at an angle to the plane of said plate, said flange having a series of openings arranged parallel with the plane of said plate to receive fastening devices to connect said plate with other parts of the toy structure and said plate having a depressed portion arranged adjacent to and parallel with said flange to form a channel to receive another element of the toy structure, said plate also having a similar depressed portion arranged substantially centrallv thereof and at right angles to the first-mentioned depressed portion, and each of said depressed portions having openings to receive fastening devices.

4. A structural element for a toy comprising a plate having at one end a flange extending at an angle thereto and having its other end of a width less than the width of the flanged end, said flange and the narrow end of saidplate ha ring openings, a

to and second plate having an elongated portion provided with projections arranged to engage the opposite edges of said flange when said second plate is placed in engagement with said flange, said elongated portion of said second plate having openings and said second plate also having a laterally extending portion to connect the same to another part of said toy structure, said laterally extending part having an opening to receive a fastening device.

5. A structural element for a toy comprising a plate having at one end a flange extending at an angle thereto and having its other end of a width less than the width of the flanged end, said flange and the narrow end of said plate having openings, a second plate having an elongated portion provided with projections arranged to engage the opposite edges of said flange when said second plate is placed in engagement with said flange, said elongated portion of said second plate having openings and said second plate also having a laterally extending portion to connect the same to another part of said toy structure, said laterally extending part having an opening to receive a fastening device, and a connecting device adjustably secured to the laterally extending portion of said second plate.

(3. A structural element for a toy comprising a plate having at one end a flange extending at an angle thereto and having its other end of a width less than the width of the flanged end, said flange and the narrow end of said plate having openings, a second plate having anelongated portion adapted to engage said flange, said elongated portion of said second plate having openings and said second plate also having a laterally extending portion to connect the same to another part of said toy structure, said laterally extending part having an opening to receive a fastening device.

7. A structural element fo' a toy co|nprising a part having a portion provided with openings to receive fastening devices. a plate having an elongated portion to engage said part and having a laterally extending portion, said elongated portion 0 said plate having projections to engage the edges of said part and said elongated portion and said laterally extending portion having openings to receive fastening devices.

8. In a toy structure, a truck comprising side members each consisting of a plate ha ving a reduced lower portion, provided with an opening and having at its upper end a flange extending at an angle to the body of the plate and provided with a series of openings, other plates resting upon and secured to the flange of the respective side plates, and a connecting device extending between and secured to said other plates, an

. axle mounted in the openings in the reduced portions of said plates, and wheels mounted on said axle.

9. In a toy structure, a truck comprising wardly extending portions of said elongated plates. axles mounted in openings in the reduced portions of said side plates, and wheels mounted on said axles.

10. In a toy structure, a truck comprising side members each consisting of a plate having a reduced lower portion provided with an opening and having a laterally extending flange at the upper end thereof, elongated plates adapted to rest upon the respective flanges and each having projections along its edges to engage the respective edges of said flanges, said flanges and said elongated plate having openings to receive fastening devices, each of said elongated plates having a laterally extending projection provided with an opening and having projections extending from one face thereof, a connecting device comprising a strip having its opposite ends slotted and adapted to rest upon the laterally extending portions of said elongated plates between the projections thereon.

11. In a toy structure, a truck comprising side members each consisting of a plate having a reduced lower portion provided with an opening and having a laterally extending flange at the upper end thereof,'elongated plates adapted to rest upon the respective flanges and each having projections along its edges to engage the respective edges of said flanges, said flanges and said elongated plate'having openings to receive fastening devices, each of said elongated plates having a laterally extending projection provided with an opening and having projections extending from one face thereof, a connecting device comprising a strip having its opposite end slotted and adapted to rest upon the laterally extending portions of said elongated plates between the projections thereon, said connecting device having an elevated portion intermediate its ends to form a support for a superstructure! 12. In a toy structure, a truck comprising side members each consisting of a plate having a reduced lower portion provided with an opening and having a laterally extending flange at the upper end thereof,elongated plates adapted to rest upon the respective flanges and each having projections along its edges to engage the respective edges of said flanges, said flanges and said elongated plate having openings to receive fastening devices, each of said elongated plates having a laterally extending projection provided with an opening and having projections extending from one face thereof, a connecting device comprising a strip having its opposite ends slotted and adapted to rest upon the laterally extending portions of said elongated plates between the projections thereon, said connecting device having an elevated portion intermediate its ends to form a support for a superstructure, a second connecting-member arranged above the first connecting member in an inverted position and pivotally connected to the elevated portion of said first connecting member, said second connecting member having secured to its opposite ends devices for supporting a superstructure.

13. In a toy structure, a truck comprising side members, each of said side members consisting of a plurality of plates, each of said plates havinga reduced lower portion provided with an opening and also having a laterally extending flange at its upper end, the plates of each side member being arranged with their flanges in alinement, each side member further comprising an elongated plate having its ends overlapping and secured to the adjacent ends of said flanges, each of said elongated plates having a laterally extending portion, and a connecting member interposed between said side frame members and having its ends adjustably connected with the lateral portions of said elongated plate, axles mounted in the lower por tions of opposed side plates, and i Wheels mounted on said axles.

14. In a toy structure, a truck comprising side members, a connecting member extending between said side members and having an intermediate portion offset and arranged in a plane substantially parallel with, and above, the end portions thereof, a second member arranged above said connecting member and having an intermediate portion offset and arranged in a plane below and substantially parallel with the end portions thereof, the offset portions of saidmembersbeing pivotally connected one to the other and said last-mentioned member having means for connecting a superstructure thereto.

15. In a toy structure, a truck comprising. a set of side members at each side of the truck, axles carrying wheels and mounted. in said members, an elongated plate con necting together the side members of each set, and a transverse member overlapping said plates, one of the overlapping ,parts bein slotted to permit the width of the true to be minutely varied.

16. In a toy structure, a truck comprising truck, each of these members having a series of perforations, axles carrying Wheels and mounted in said side members, an elongated plate connecting together the side members of each set, and having perforations to cooperate with the perforations in the side members, so that the length of the truck can be varied, and a transverse member overlapping said plates, one of the overlapping fastening devices for securing the parts to-- gether.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FRANCIS A. WAGNER. 

